Blessings of My Disease

Although being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis was a scary and uncertain experience, there are a lot of positives to come out of it.

Blessing number 1: I found something I love!

I began fundraising, something I had never done before. I held a fundraiser for Arthritis Ireland. This was a cathartic experience for me, it helped my mentally. This was the start of things beginning to look up for me. I found my voice. I was able to channel my negative feelings into something positive. This is when I started writing. I never enjoyed writing up until now. In the past, the only time I would have ever written was for school or college.

I started keeping a journal on my laptop. I would write about what I did that day, what I ate, how many steps I took and how I would feel physically. Then, I began to write emotionally. This is where my passion began. I find it extremely cathartic; it has heled me so much mentally and it brings me joy.

Writing helps me to reflect on my journey of living with a chronic illness. I can see how far that I’ve come in the past year. It shows me the good things that have come from this illness. Along with the bad things. Writing and reflecting on the bad parts reminds me of what I can and have overcome. It shows me how strong I really am.

When I read back on what I have wrote in the past year I can see how much I’ve grown emotionally, how much I have matured.

Blessing number 2: strength

If you told me 5 years ago that I would be diagnosed with a lifelong illness, I would have said that I would not be able to deal with it. But here I am, dealing with it. This illness has made me realise how strong I am.

Blessing number 3: resilience

When you are living with ankylosing spondylitis, or any chronic illness, you will soon realise that there are a lot of setbacks. These setbacks may be physically or emotionally. At the beginning, I would let these setbacks take over me, but every single time I got back up, no matter how long it took me. As time goes by there are more setbacks, making more resilient each time. I have realised as time goes on, I am getting less upset when it comes to setbacks.

Blessing number 4: perspective

This illness has changed my perspective on everything in life. In the past, little things would stress me out and I would worry about nothings. This illness has made me a less stressed person. I no longer worry about the little things as much. I now realise that no one knows what another person is going through. People may look at me and think that I am a healthy 20 something year old woman, where that is not the case. So, this illness has made me realise that we know nothing about anyone.

Blessing number 5: a sense of community

I feel blessed to be part of this community. The people I have met online in the community have helped and supported me through my illness. This community has helped me to feel not alone.

Blessing number 6: I care about me more

I would have always considered myself a care person, I like helping others. This illness made me realise that I never made time to help or care for myself. Since my diagnosis, I have decided to put myself first. I make an effort to do things for me now, I make time for myself. Self-care is so important, and I did not realise this until my illness.

What are some of your blessings of your disease?